Proposed Voting Systems for Lowell July 25, 2019

Agenda Introduction History of the Voting Rights Settlement Voting System Options Group Discussion Closing/Next Steps

History of the Lawsuit Settlement In May 2017, a diverse coalition of residents from Lowell’s Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino communities filed a federal voting rights lawsuit, challenged Lowell’s at-large electoral system. (9-member city councilors and 6-member school committee members.) The Lawsuit alleged that the at-large system impermissibly dilutes the vote of Lowell’s communities of color.

History of the Lawsuit Settlement The case wan originally filed in the federal District Court in Massachusetts in May 2017. In October 2017,a federal judge ruled that the case could go forward, rejecting the city’s claim that Hispanic/Latino and Asian-American plaintiffs could not join together to bring a coalition claim against the city. On May 29, 2019, the Plaintiffs and Defendants announced they had reached a settlement in the form of a Consent Decree. The federal District Court approved the Consent Decree.

History of the Lawsuit Settlement The Consent Decree will require the City to change its electoral system starting with the 2021 municipal election. The Consent Decree outlines six possible alternative electoral systems that the city may adopt. The City must choose one of the agreed-upon alternatives. The City will review and analyze the agreed-up options over the coming months through a public process that allow community inputs and will be accompanies by a public education campaign conducted in multiple languages.

History of the Lawsuit Settlement The City Council have to narrow the options to two finalists and place those options on the ballot as non-binding initiatives in November 2019. The City will decide which of the two finalist systems the City will adopt. Alternatively, the City Council may decide to forego placing the matter on the ballot and proceed directly to selecting the new system. In that case, the City Council will select the new system by October 1, 2019.

Voting System Options Options

Option 1: All Districts City: 9 members – All elected in Districts School: 7 members – 3 districts that each elect 2 people + mayor

Option 2: Mixed Districts and At-Large City: 11 members – 8 Districts 3 At Large School: 7 members – 4 districts 2 At-Large + mayor

SAMPLE 8 DISTRICTS (2010 CENSUS) CENTRALVILLE PAWTUCKUTVILLE THE ACRE DOWNTOWN BELVIDERE HIGHLANDS SOUTH LOWELL

Option 3: Mixed Districts and At-Large City: 9 members – 8 Districts 1 At Large School: 7 members – 4 districts 2 At-Large + mayor

OTHER LARGER MASS CITIES

Option 4: Mixed Districts and At-Large City: 9 members – 7 Districts and 2 At-Large School Comm: 7 members – All districts. The mayor would no longer serve on the School Committee

Sample RCV Ballot

Option 5: Ranked Choice Voting – Citywide City: 9 members - All At-Large School: 7 members - 6 At-Large + mayor

Option 6: Ranked Choice Voting in 3 Large Multi-Member Districts City: 9 members - 3 elected in each of the 3 districts School: 7 members - 2 elected in each of the 3 districts + mayor

# of Votes Needed to Win

Group Activity Do you vote in local elections (City Council/School Committee)?  Yes, Why?  No, Why? Do you feel like your community and/or neighborhood is represented by elected officials in Lowell? Yes, Why?  No, Why? Have you ever had trouble voting in Lowell? If yes, what? If no, what do you like about voting in Lowell? What would it take to get more people to vote in Lowell, especially for local elections (city council/school committee)? Which voting options do you like? Why?

Closing/Next Steps Through community meetings, the City will select two options that community. Lowell Vote will continue to host community meetings in different neighborhoods to make sure that everyone in the city is informed. Your input is very important to make sure that the City select the option that reflects the need of the people.

Thank You